Pyrophoric lighter



Dec. 6, 1932. H. KELLERMANN PYROPHORIQ LIGHTER Filed Aug.7.19so' 2 sheets-sheet 1 nl. nhlllshn iZofn @au Dec. 6;. i932.` H. KELLERMANN PYROPHORIC LIGHTER Filed Aug. 7. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Vea orn ey@` 5 the snuiing cap are placed upon alcommon Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES.

llarrarrn orrlca HEINRICH HELLERMANN, or BERLIN-LICHTENBERG, GERMANY PYROPHouIc LIGHTER Application :Bled August 7, 1930, Serial No.

The present invention relates to a pyrophoric lighter of that kind, in which the wheel file and the carrier of the wick-cap or axle of rotation, both parts being so coupled with each other, that upon rotation of the carrier of the wick-cap during the opening drawback, that the speed of the lopeningmovement of the snuiiing cap, and with it the speed of rotation of the wheel file, determining the intensity of the spark production, is entirely dependent upon the intensity of the pressure exercised by the hand or the nger of the user upon the snufng cap. or upon the parts connected therewith. It has, it is true, already been proposed, to place the opening movement of the snuiiing cap under the action of a spring, so that the speed of that movement is made dependent upon the intensity of tension of this spring. In this case, however, the arrangement was of such nature, that the finger starting that move,- ment easily hindered the further movement of the snuing cap under the influence of that spring, with the result that the spring tension could not fully develop, and the speed of rotation of the ile was interfered and hindered too.

For the purpose of avoiding these drawbacks, the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such, that the snuffing cap is pivotally connected to the pressure lever, with the aid of which the lighter is actuated by means of a bridge which is joined with the snuing cap at a point situated between the axle of rotation of the lat- I ter and the wick-tube, said bridge being under the influence of a spring. Upon actuatlng the pressure lever with the aid of the finger,

the. spring, after overcoming a dead point position, suddenly throws back the snuiing cap into the open position quite independent of the speed and of the intensity of the fin- 473,e25, and ni Germany september 2,'1929.

ger-pressure, thereby causing the 'wheel file u to rapidly revolve.

The lighter may also be constructed, if desired, in such a'manner'that after the open-l 5.

ing of same and the generation of sparks has been effected, itlwill be automatically closed through the action of a second spring .provided for that purpose, upon releasing the mold upon the pressure lever.v

In the drawings the obj ect.of the invention 6o has been represented byway of example.

Fig. 1 is a lateral view of an example of performance of the lighter in-the closed posi? tion,

open position, part of the front wall of the casing being broken away, Fig. 3 represents a modified form of per- Flg. 2 a View of the same lighter in the forinance in lateral view in the closed posi- 7 tion with part of the casing wall being broken awa Figs.v 4-6 are lateral Views of a third embodiment in the closed position, partly in section, at the commencement of the opening w movement, and in open position.

Figs. 7-11 represent details of the construction in accordance with Figs. @6.

In the example of execution shown in Figs.

1 and 2, 1 is the casing of the lighter, 2 the e@ end of the wick-tube, 4 the carrier of the wickcap or the snufling cap and 3 the wick-cap proper. The axle of rotation' of the snuiing 'cap 4 is arranged in a sup ort. 'i'. This aXle Y a screw or double 8,5 screw capable of being easily removed. The

5 may be made to consist O axle 7 also carries the wheel 'ile 6, against vwhich the pyrophoric pin is pressed from below in the usual manner and which may be coupled in any desired known manner with 9@ the snuiiing cap or wick-cap carrier 4.

At 9 an arcuated armor bridge 8, extending rearwardly, has been articulated to the snuffing cap 4. This arm or bridge 8 carries at its rearward end a cylindrical sleeve 13 being attached thereto by means of a hinge at 14, said cylindrical sleeve 13 containinga pressurespring 15. The lower end of this pressure spring 15 is resting upona transverse pin 16, which penetrates into' the open lower end of the sleeve 13 through a guide slot 17.

verse pin 18 passing through the casing 1 of the l1 hter. This transverse pin 18 is emhook 19 in such a manner, that it may easily be released. The arcuated arm or bridge 8 is pivotally connected at 10, midway between its two ends, with the pressure lever 11. The pivot point 9 of this arm 8 at the wick-cap earner 4 is so disposed, that the pivot point 9 when the lighter is in the closed position (Fig. 1)` will be at a place situated between the vertical transverse plane passing through the axle of rotation 5 and the parallel vertical plane passing through thewick-tube 2, i Whilst, when opening the lighter, this pivot point 9 wanders through 4 said first named vertical plane in a rearward direction, as may be gathered from Fi 2.

The operation of is lighter is as follows: If the parts are in the closing position as seen from Fig. 1, the spring 15, resting upon the transverse pin 16, presses the rear end of the arcuated arm or bridge 8 upwards, correspondingly pressing the carrier 4 of 'the wick-cap downwards, i. e. against the wicktube 2. If now pressure by a finger is exerpressure-lever 11, so that it be ins to revolve round the axis 18 in a rearwar direction, the

snuiiing cap 4A will in the first instance be taken along against the action of the spring by means of thebent arm or bridge 8 formin the connecting link, until the pivot point 9 as crossed the vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation 5. Hereafter owin to the changed position of the sleeve 13 and t e spring 15 disposed Within said sleeve, the lspring no longer exercises a pressure in an upward direction, but in a rearward direction, and has, for this reason, the tendency to open the cap 4, in extending itself. This opening movement of thepart 4 in conj unction with the rotation of the extending spring 15 and with it the further rotation of the wheel file 6 taken along, takes place, after overcoming the dead point position for the 5G pivot 9, rapidly and suddenly, quite indeipendently of the speed of the movement of the finger or the intensity of the pressure'of the ngcr, so that the wheel file 6 revolves with corresponding speed, thus producing sparks of considerable intensity by its contact with the pyrophoric mass. The clos-ing of the lighter is eiected in this example ofexecution by turning the snuihng member 4 by hand causing the parts 8 and 11 connected with the member 4 to be taken along and returned into the closing position (Fig. 1).

The, form of constructionshown in Fig. 3 is distinguished from that-just described esi sentially only by that, for the purpose of simplifying the construction of the lighter,

brace by the pressure lever 11 by means of a eised upon the rearward extension 12 of the the pressure leverll has been omitted. In this case the opening of the lighter is eiected by pressing the finger from below against a shoulder or handle 20, being attached to the snuiiing member 4, so that the member 4 is caused to turn round the axis 5. For the purpose of preventing the bent arm or bridge 8 from being moved upwards instead of backwards, it is provided at 22 with a movable arm 21, the lower end 24 of which forms a hook embracing a transverse pin 23 passing through the casing 1 of the lighter. This transverse pin 23 takes in this case the place y of the transverse pin 16 provided in the pressure-lever 11 of ythe first described form o construction and thus also forms the lower stop for the pressure spring placed within the slotted sleeve 13. The operation for this construction essentially resembles that of thc lighter shown in Figs. 1 and 2.v l In the form of construction shown in Figs. 4 to 11, the disposition and construction of the snuing cap or wick-cap carrier and of the wheel lile is again the same as in the cases previously described. The pressurelever 11, too, is essentially of the same construction and disposition as in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arm or bridge 25 extending in a rearward direction in this case, too, is pivoted to the snutfingl cap 4 at a point 26, which is situated between the vertical transverse planes passing through the axis of rotation 5 and the Wick-tube 2. The arm l25 here is provided at its rearward end with an oblong slit or a notch 27, in which a transverse pin 28, passing through the pressure lever l1, can be made to glide to and fro.

At 26, moreover, the upper end of a-U-l shaped arm 29 is pivotally attached, whereas its lower end is pivotally connected at 30 with the inner part 42 of a divided cylindrical sleeve. The inner part 42 of the sleeve has the shape of a frame. If the gap 44 of this frame-like inner sleeve-part 42 the spring is arranged. The part 42 is prof vided at its lower end with a pin-like extension 43 andbeside this with a shoulder or stop'49.

Y The frame-like inner sleeve-part 42 for the spring 35 is embraced by a fork-like or U- shaped outer sleeve-part 45. This has @i illustrated in the Figures 10 and 11 separately in two side views seen in an angle ot to one another. The sleeve-part 45 embraces with -its gap 46 (Fig. 11) the inner sleeve-part 42, and it possesses a lower extension 47 provided with a passage for 'the pin 43. Next to the extension 47 a stop 48 is arranged. Through an opening near the upper end of the sleeve-part 45 a pin34 (Fig. 7 has been made to pass, which also ypasses transversely through the gap 44 of the `inner sleeve-part 42, forming here one of the stops for the. spring 435', its other stop being formed by the bottom of the frame 42. The

fsa

pin 34 simultaneouslyconnects the sleeve part 45 pivotally with the pressure-lever 11.

Against the stop 48 of the outer sleeve' part 45 a stronger spring 38 is madeto rest, the second stop of which is formed by the bottom of a tube 39 closed at the lower end,

- said tube 39 also forming a cover for the sleeve 42, 45.

The operation of the device is illustrated by the Figures 4-6. When the lighter is closed, the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 4. Both springs 35 and 38 are free or nearly free from tension and jointly cause the snufiing cap 4 to be restrained in the closing position, i. e. cause it to be forced against the wick-tube 2. If it is desiredl to open the lighter, pressure is exercised by the inger upon the rearward lug or shoulder 12 of the pressure-lever 11. This lever in the first instance describes the movement which` may be seen from Fig. 5, during which the outer sleeve-part 45, being connected with the lower extension of the pressure-lever 11 by means of the pin 34, is already pressed downward a little against the action of the spring 38, so that the outer spring 38 and also the spring 35 in the inner sleeve-part 42 are already slightly compressed, whilst the snufng cap 4 still remains in the closing position as the pin 28 may slide in the notch'27. Upon further movement of the pressure lever 11 the spring 35 is compressed to such an extent, that the pivot point 26 for the bridge 25 and the arm 29 on the snuiiing cap 4 has crossed the dead point position, i. el has passed through the vertical transverse plane going through the axis' 5 of the wheel file 6. The spring 35 will then be able to act against the bent arm 29 of the bridge, thereby throwing it, and with it the snuiiing cap 4, in a rearward direction, i. e. in the open position,

- whilst the spring 38, owing to the pressure exerted on the lever 11 and with it upon the outer sleeve part 45, will be further compressed, so that it cannot counter-act the action of the weaker spring 35. The opening of the snutling can 4 therefore is effected under the action of the spring 35 when the dead-point position has been passed under the action of the spring 35', and this openi ing movement is performed automatically,

rapidly and independently of the intensity and speed of the finger-pressure exercised, and corresponding thereto the. rotation of the wheel file 6 during this part of the movement takes place rapidly and strongly, so

that intensive sparks are produced by the friction against the pyrophoric mass.

Upon releasing the pressure-lever 1l the parts will return from the position shown in Fig. G to their original posit-ion shown in Fig. 4' under the action-of the extending stronger spring 38, this closing of the lighter thus being performed automatically.

In all examples of performance shown the parts belonging to the mechanism of-v the lighter, i. e. the snuiing cap together with the wheel file, the bent arm or bridge, the spring-sleeve and the spr-ing and also, if desired, the pressure-lever, are arranged in such a manner that they may easily be removed and substituted, because, on the one hand, the axle 5 may be easily removed and, on the other hand, the pressure-lever 11 and the arm 21 (Fig. 3) are merely hooked to their axle. I"

Various modifications of the devices as shown and described may be made within the scope of the invention.

Having now particularly described and as- I certained the nature of my said invention, I

declare that what I claim is:

l. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a wick-tube, a wheel file, a snuiing member.l a common axis for said wheel file and snuiing member, said snufiing member being coupled with said wheel file, a pressure-lever, means hingedly connecting said snuing member to said pressure lever, said means engaging said snuiing member at a point situated between two vertical transverse parallel planes when the snuiing member is in the closed position. one of which planes passes through the pivot axle of said snuffing member and the other of' said .planes passing through the wick-tube, a

spring acting upon said means,l said spring being arranged in such a manner, that upon operating said pressure-lever by hand said snufiing member is suddenly thrown back into the open position after the dead point position has been overcome, independently of the speed and intensity of the pressure of the finger.

2. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a wickt-ube, a wheel file. a snufing member, a com- .I

mon axis for said wheel file and snuiling member, said snuiiing member being coupled with said wheel file, a pressure-lever, a link in such an angular position, that said snufl'mg I lmember is thereby forced into the closing position, as long as the pivot point of said link has not reached the dead-point position.

, 3. A p vrophoric lighter comprising a wicktube, a wheel tile, a snuiing member, a common axis for said wheel tile and snufiing member, said snuiing member being coupled ,with said wheel file, a pressure-lever, means hirgrdly connecting said snuiing member to said pressure lever. said means enga ging said y suuiing member at a point situated between two vertical transverse parallel planes when tion after the dead point position has the snuiiing member is in the closed posibeing hingedly connected to said bridge, a-

stop for -said spring, said stop engaging the lower end of said sleeve, said spring and sleeve being arranged in such a manner, that upon operating said' pressure-lever by hand said snuiiing-member is suddenly thrown back into the open position after the dead point position has been overcome, independently of the speed and intensity of the pressure'ot1 the n er.

A pyrophoric lighter comprising a wicktube, a wheel file, a snuliing member, a common axis for said wheel iile and snuiiug mem,- ber, said snuilino member being coupled with said wheel le, a pressure-lever, a bridge hingedly connecting said snuiling member to said pressure lever, said bridge engaging said snuiiing member at a point situated between two vertical transverse parallel. planes when the snuiiing member is in the closed position,

one of which planes passes through the pivot axle of said snufiing member and the other' of said planes passing through the wickftube, a spring acting upon said bridge, a sleeve 'surrounding said pressure-spring, said sleeve being open below, the upper end of said sleeve being hingedly connected to said bridge, a transverse pin provided at the lower part of said pressure-lever, said transverse pin serving as a stop for said pressure-spring, the lower end of the said sleeve being slotted for allowing the passage of said transverseY pin, said spring and sleeve being arranged in such a manner. that upon operating said pressure-lever by hand said snuiing member is suddenly thrown back into the open psiovercome, independently ofthe speed and intensity of the pressure of the finger.

5. pyrophoric lighter comprising a wick-tube, a wheel file, a snufling member, a common axis for said wheel file and snuing member, said snufng member being coupled with said wheel file, a pressure-lever, a brid ge hingedly connecting said snuing member to said pressure lever, said bridge engaging -said snuiing member at a point situated be` tween two vertical transverse parallel planes when the snutling memberisinfthe closed position, one of which planes passes through the pivot axle of said snufiing member and the other of said planes passing through ,tho wick-tube, a spring actmg upon said iridgc, a second stronger spring acting upon the rearwardly extending arcuatcd'extension of said bridge in such'a manner, that it tends to always force said suuing member into the closing position as long as the lighter is not operated, whilst said stron er spring -is thrown out of action by the nger pressure exerted upon said pressure lever during the operation of the lighter, said iirst named weaker spring being arranged in such a manner, that upon operating said pressure-lever by hand said shutting member is suddenly thrown back into the open position after the dead point position has been overcome, independently of the speed and intensity of the pressure of the finger. 1 l p 6; A pyrophoric lighter comprising a wick-tube, a wheel file, a snuiiing member, a common axis for said wheel ile and snuiiing member, said snuifmg member being coupled with said wheel file, a pressure-lever, abridge hingedly connecting said snu'ing member to said pressure lever and having a rearwardly extending arcuate extension, said bridge engaging said snuiiing member at a point situated between two vertical transverse parallel planes when the snuiing member is in the closed position, one of which planes passes through the pivot axleof said snuling member and the other of said planes passing through a wick-tube, two springs, a weaker and a stronger one, said stronger spring acting upon said rearwardly extending arcuate extension of said bridge, a divided sleeve, said divided sleeve surrounding said weaker spring, onepart of said divided sleeve being hingedly connected to said pressure lever,

the other part of said sleeve being hingedly.

connected to said snuliing member, said stronger sprlng being arranged 1n such a manner, that it tends to always force said' 7. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a wick-l tube, a wheel le, a snuiling member, a common vaxis for said wheel ile and snuiiing member, said snufing member being coupled with said Wheel file, a pressure-lever, a bridge hingedly connecting said snufiing member to said pressure lever and having a rearwardly extending arcuate extension, said bridge engaging said snufiing member at a point situyated between two vertical transverse parallel planes when the snufling member is in the closed position, one of which planes passes through the pivot axle of said snufiing member and the other of said planes passing through the wick tube, two springs, a

weaker and la stronger one, said stronger springacting upon said rearwardl extendin arcuate extension of said bri ge, a divi ed sleeve, said divided sleeve surrounding said weaker spring, one part of said divide sleeve being hmgedly connected to said pressure lever, the otherpart of said sleeve being hin dly connected to said snuingmember,

sai stronger spring embracing said divided sleeve for said weaker spring, a stop arranged on one of the parts of said divided sleeve, said stronger spring pressing from below against said stop.

8. In a lighter in accordance with claim 5, said divided sleeve having an inner' partl for receiving said weaker spring, an arcuated arm hingedly connected to said snuing member, said inner sleeve-part being pivotally connected with said arcuated arm, a stop for said weaker spring on the'outer sleevepart, said stop penetrating into said inner sleeve-part, said outer sleeve-part being movably arranged on the inner sleeveart.

`\ I 9. In a hghter in accordance wit claim 5,

said means consistingkof two parallel arms, both said arms lengaging said snuing member at the same point, an arms being provided with av rearward extension for the engagement with both said springs, theY rearward end of said otherarm en aging said pressure lever.

testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HEINRICH 'KELLERMANN one of said parallel' 

